The superficial veins of the lower limb are located within the subcutaneous tissue. The two major superficial veins are the great saphenous vein and small saphenous vein.

There are many communicating anastomoses between the great and small saphenous veins, which form the venous network beneath the skin.

Great saphenous vein

The great saphenous vein originates from the union of the dorsal vein of the great toe and dorsal venous network of the foot, more precisely, from the medial marginal vein.

The great saphenous vein ascends along the medial side of the lower leg together with the saphenous nerve. Further, it passes to the medial side of the anterior region of the thigh to reach the saphenous opening, then pierces the cribriform fascia and joins with the femoral vein.

The main tributaries of the great saphenous vein in the thigh region are:

• Superficial epigastric vein
• Superficial iliac circumflex vein
• External pudendal veins
• Accessory saphenous vein

In general, the great saphenous vein collects deoxygenated (venous) blood from the medial side of the foot, as well as the medial and anterior side of the lower leg.

Small saphenous vein

The small saphenous vein originates similarly to the great saphenous vein - from the dorsal venous network of the foot, more precisely, from the lateral marginal vein.

At first, the small saphenous vein ascends along the posterior side of the lower leg together with the sural nerve, then it pierces the popliteal fascia and flows into the popliteal vein.

The small saphenous vein collects venous blood from the lateral side of the foot, and from superficial tissues in the lateral and posterior parts of the lower leg.